University of La Verne: Clinical - Community Psy.D program

[EEL119]

Does anyone have good references for this program and school? This program theoretically sounds ideal for me. Thanks!

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[apumic]

I looked at it. The area is nice. The cost is high. The school has a pretty weak reputation overall (as in, across fields).
Basically, considering LaVerne is a very expensive place to live and ULV doesn't fund their Psy.D.'s, you're talking about med school debt (as in... $25+k/yr living expenses--and that's assuming you're going the low-cost way and living in somebody's rented bedroom in a noisy single-parent home 15 minutes outside LaVerne in one of the other, cheaper suburbs-- + $30+k/yr tuition = far more than most of us could hope to afford even if the economy was in excellent condition!) on hardly more than a social worker's salary!
But otherwise, I personally liked the look of the program.

 

[EEL119]

j

 

[futureapppsy2]

I'm not sure if you're just interested in La Verne, but IIRC [if I recall correctly], there are a couple of other Clinical/Community programs:

Widener (I think)
Alaska (but it's unaccredited and highly focused on rural and indigenous issues... and also one of my top choices)

What is it about ULV that appeals to you?

 

[apumic]

Honestly, have you looked at the average salary for a clinical psychologist? We're talking approx. $75k/yr. If you go to ULV, you're talking about 5 yrs * $55k/yr ($25k living expenses + $30k tuition) = $275,000 debt.

Personally, I don't think it'd be wise for an MD to get into that kind of debt -- much less someone in our field!!!

 

[EEL119]

Well Alaska would be a dream for my fiance! We actually spent a summer in Denali ... I sticking to the lower 48, so you're safe as far as I go ; )

What is most appealing is the curriculum really. It sounds right up my alley.. I like the flexibility the degree offers me. i am considering also being able to work in tandem with my brother, an MD and DC. I guess I am rigid and sticking to APA programs. What is IIRC?

 

[EEL119]

j

 

[apumic]

Sorry. I really didn't expect my "mapping" out of it to turn out that negative (kind of shocked me to be honest), but I do think it's wise to take a moment and consider what we're getting ourselves into. I am applying to a number of funded programs. I had considered some unfunded (or barely funded) programs that looked really appealing to me, but I didn't like the prospect of being $100k+ in debt. While that's great that your brother was able to bill $1,000,000+ his first year in practice (did he actually get paid that much, or just bill it?), MOST MDs don't make that kind of money, and it's largely this kind of financial foolishness (i.e., counting our eggs before they hatch and WAAAAAY overestimating what we can afford or, in this case, what we'll be able to afford) that has gotten our country into the economic crisis we're in the middle of. If you don't like to hear a little realism from time to time, that's fine. I apologize for stepping on your toes and possibly bursting a dream. That was never my intention.

As for me... I saved during undergrad, had a nice scholarship, etc., so I'll be fine at a funded school, but as I said, I decided not to apply to places where I'd end up in loads of debt. I want to do this work b/c I am passionate about preventative intervention programs for youth and I'd prefer to not have financial problems get in the way.

 

[EEL119]

j

 

[Cigolon]

USC also has a comm/clinical program iirc.

 

[EEL119]

Wondering what other programs people out there are interested, similiar to Community psych.... want to hear your opinions. Thank you

 

[apumic]

Considering how you've acted toward me, I'm not entirely convinced you want a response, but in case you seriously are looking around, you might consider such programs as those at DePaul, Rutgers (PsyD is community psych-heavy and funded), Conneticut, or even Wheaton or George Fox (both unfunded, which was why I dropped them, but if that's not a problem for you, they both had a lot of community emphasis) to name a few that were on my list (not sure exactly why I picked each one as I am no longer considering those 3, but community/preventative work was a primary criteria I used and I know they all had a number of related areas of training).

Anyway, best of luck wherever you decide to apply.

 

[airmont]

Bowling Green (Toledo, OH) also has a community-clinical program headed by Catherine H. Stein.

http://www.bgsu.edu/departments/psych/page37289.html

 

[psychmama]

I'd second Rutgers PsyD as having a good community psych concentration.

 

[EEL119]

thank you psychmama, cigolon and airmont.... what programs are you guys applying to? Are any of you applying to private schools?

 

[futureapppsy2]

I'd second DePaul as well.

 

[EEL119]

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